Victor Boniface out of AFCON
Super Eagles and Leverkusen forward Victor Boniface has been ruled out of this year’s AFCON in Cote d’Ivoire due to injury.
The forward, who has been firing on all cylinders in the German top division, will now be absent from what would have been his maiden tournament with the Super Eagles.
The 23-year-old suffered the groin injury while in the Abu Dhabi camp of the team and will need at least six weeks to recover, and that does take him out of the squad.
In a swift move, Jose Peseiro has invited Nice forward Terem Moffi as his replacement, pending approval of CAF and concurrence of his Club.
Boniface is the second Super Eagles player to pull out following the earlier withdrawal of Leicester City midfielder Wilfred Ndidi due to injury. Meanwhile, Kelechi Iheanacho also remains a doubt for the tournament but he is expected to make the trip to Ivory Coast.
Guinea-Bissau reveal AFCON target
Guinea-Bissau head coach Baciro Candé says their aim is to reach the knockout stages of AFCON after arriving in Cote d’Ivoire to participate in the tournament.
The Djurtus were the second side to arrive in the West African country ahead of the tournament when they touched down at Abidjan’s Félix Houphouët-Boigny Airport for the continent’s biggest competition.
Drawn to play in Group A, Guinea-Bissau will face a tough challenge as they will also play Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea in the group.
The Djurtus will be making their fourth appearance at the AFCON and will have the honor of playing the opening match on Saturday against the host country at the Alassane Ouattara Olympic Stadium in Ebimpe.
Saturday’s opening match will be the second experience of Guinea-Bissau in playing in the opening match of the competition after featuring in the opening game of the 2017 edition in Gabon with Candé in charge.
“I’m used to it; the first competition I participated in, we played the opening match against Gabon, and we drew (1-1). I know that Côte d’Ivoire is stronger than Gabon, but Guinea-Bissau will do its job, slowly,” assured Candé in an interview with CAFOnline.com upon their arrival in Abidjan on Sunday.
“Our goal is to finally get past the first round. It’s true that our group is very tough with opponents like Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria, and Equatorial Guinea, but anything is possible in football, anything is possible,” declared the coach.
After Saturday’s opener, Guinea-Bissau will face Equatorial Guinea before concluding their group stage round against Nigeria on January 22 at the Félix Houphouët-Boigny Stadium in Abidjan.
Pre-AFCON Friendlies
Senegal 1-0 Niger
Nigeria 0-2 Guinea
Ghana 0-0 Namibia
Botswana 1-1 Mozambique
